Influence registry will deter few foreign agents without independent enforcement, say national security experts
Appointing former B.C. chief elections officer Anton Boegman as the foreign influence and transparency commissioner is a ‘positive development,’ says the NDP, but Canadians shouldn’t expect the watchdog and registry to ‘catch spies,’ says Dan Stanton.
Cost of public servants continues to rise, though growth of bureaucracy began to slow in 2024-25: PBO
In 2024-25, the government spent a total of $76.3-billion on public servants, an increase of six per cent from $71.9-billion spent in 2023-24.
Here’s how Parliament can tackle the rise in anti-feminist ideology
Require parties to run equal numbers of men and women, including in winnable ridings. Those that fail to comply forfeit their right to compete. Period.
Advertising, speechwriting, and appointments advisers among fresh PMO hires
Among the recent additions are research co-ordinator Matthew Schwarze, and global affairs communications adviser Omer Aziz.
An aging democracy needs youth voices
The most comprehensive studies lowering the voting age have found that 16- and 17-year-olds match adults in their ability to evaluate their voting decisions.
Building a more innovative Canadian economy won’t be easy, but it will be worth it
We are living through one of those periods in human history where change and the tensions from change can overwhelm. Coping with change—with creative destruction—can be hugely rewarding. But getting policy right is the challenge.
Trudeau, Carney, Davos, and Liberal dexterity
Canadians like getting the world’s attention because it counters the view that we are boring. Mark Carney’s impact at Davos boosted Liberal popularity to 51 per cent in a Mainstreet poll. Speculation swirled that he might call an election to capitalize. He won’t. Carney prefers governing to politicking on the hustings.
Preparing for a possible early election, Conservatives closing first batch of 16 riding nominations this month: sources
Conservative nomination applications for some ridings are due on Feb. 25. Those electoral districts ‘should begin forming candidate nomination committees without delay,’ states a memo from the party’s headquarters, obtained by The Hill Times. And Elan Harper, Stephen Harper’s sister-in-law, wants to run in Calgary Confederation.
MPs should revamp Question Period, actually elect House committee chairs, give House Speaker more power, and should consider ending hybrid sittings
The House should seriously consider these reforms in order to make the Commons a more democratic place of substance—not just quips and digs—and motivate MPs to be more fully present—which includes appearing in person—in the House to engage in the debates that contribute to important policy-making decisions.
Fix Question Period, elect House committee chairs, and end hybrid House sittings, say some Grit and Tory MPs: ‘Question Period is our marquee accountability mechanism’
But Liberal MP Kevin Lamoureux says the current rules do not need any change because they provide decorum and predictability in the House.
